Pakistani singer Khan unites Bollywood and Qawwali in UK shows

(Reuters) - Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, known for both Bollywood hits and Qawwali, Sufi devotional music that dates back more than 700 years, is taking the two genres to Britain in August for three concerts.

Khan, who performed at last year's Nobel Peace Prize awards, said his brief British tour would include classical music from Pakistan as well as popular songs from Indian movies, including the recent film "Sultan".

In one of his first interviews with international media, Khan spoke about the challenges faced by the Pakistani music industry and his efforts to promote the musical legacy of his uncle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a Qawwali master who died in 1997.

Q: What can people expect from your concerts in London, Manchester and Coventry?

A: "We'll be performing three segments for viewers and listeners. The first one is the music they've been listening to for many years. The other segment we'll perform is what they miss, and that's the 'unplugged' version. And the third segment, which is the most important (one) that they miss, is Qawwali. We'll perform all three segments over more than three hours."

Q: What is it like to be part of an acclaimed musical family?
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